Key Takeaways
- Today, many employers are recruiting college graduates because of their fresh ideas, tech-savvy minds, and willingness to grow.
- Understanding how employers recruit talent—whether through career fairs, online job boards, campus recruiting, internships, or social media—will help you know how and where to show up.
- It’s not always enough just to search—many employers are making sure they appeal to graduates by clearly defining their brand, mission, values, pay, benefits, growth opportunities, and qualifications up front.
If you are a recent college graduate, you may be starting to ask the big question: How do I actually find a job? The good news is that many companies are looking for you! That’s right, employers all over the country are eager to hire recent graduates. Why? Because they see you as the future of their company. Being fresh out of the academic space, you bring new ideas, up-to-date tech skills, and a drive to grow.
But even knowing that, you might still be wondering: How do most employers recruit college graduates like me? Let’s break it down.
What Are Employers Looking for in College Graduates?
Before you hit “apply,” it helps to know what employers are actually looking for in recent grads. In the NACE Job Outlook 2025 survey, nearly 90% of employers indicated that they are looking for two key traits: problem-solving and teamwork skills. Additionally, 70% of employers say that written communication, initiative, strong work ethic, and technical skills are important to them.
Most employers recruit college graduates that have great problem solving skills, can work as a team, and have great communication skills.
The takeaway here? If you have any or all of these skills, don’t keep them a secret! Highlight them in your cover letter, resume, and even interviews. Here’s a quick breakdown of the most in-demand skills:
5 Ways Employers Recruit College Graduates
If you are having a hard time finding companies to work for, know that you are not alone. You’re also not invisible—employers are actively looking for you! Employers want fresh talent, and they have systems in place to find it. That said, this doesn’t mean you should sit back and wait for them to come to you—it’s important to understand how the process works. Here are five common ways employers recruit college graduates:
1. Career Fairs
If your college is hosting a career fair, go! This is a great way to introduce yourself to employers, ask questions, and learn about the roles they’re offering. A career fair is a great way to network and learn what is out there without ever having to leave campus.
2. Online Job Boards
If you aren’t already browsing sites like LinkedIn, Handshake, or Indeed, it’s time to start. Employers are actively posting jobs and looking at the profiles of potential candidates. Our tip? Spend 15-20 minutes every day browsing, saving, and applying to different jobs that interest you. You never know which application or connection will open the door to your next opportunity.
3. Campus Recruiting
If you see companies show up on your campus, don’t be surprised—they’re playing the long game. Many employers actually connect with professors, career centers, and student organizations to position themselves in front of the right students.
They aren’t always looking to hire at the very moment they’re on campus, but rather, they are looking for future talent. These early recruitments allow companies to start building relationships and keeping tabs on students who may become full-time hires later on.
Companies will also tailor their recruitment strategies depending on who they’re looking for. This could be targeting specific majors like STEM or design. They may even partner with diversity-focused organizations. Knowing where these companies are choosing to put their efforts can help you know where you need to show up.
4. Internships
Internships are great ways for you to get experience with a company and for employers to see if they like you as a potential full-time hire. Many companies look to hire interns as a chance to train and evaluate potential full-time hires without making an immediate commitment. If you do well in your internship, this could lead to a job offer after graduation.
5. Social Media
In today’s day and age, social media is more than just entertainment—it’s actually a way that companies recruit you to work for them! Many brands now show up online, posting behind-the-scenes content and even job openings. It’s their way of connecting with potential candidates and meeting them right where they are.
That said, it’s important to note that not every company will do this, so don’t rely solely on finding jobs through social media. However, don’t ignore its potential either.
Standing Out to Students
While many companies are out recruiting, it’s not just about finding talent. It’s also about attracting it. Employers know that you are evaluating them, and they want to make sure they stand out and appeal to you. Here are a few ways they do it:
- Building Brand Awareness: The job title isn’t everything anymore. The culture, mission, and values of a company play a huge role as college grads are looking for a job. Many employers really focus on making sure they clearly communicate what they stand for so they continue to stand out against competitors.
- Offering Competitive Pay and Benefits: Your salary matters—but so does health insurance, paid time off, and work policies. Look for companies that are transparent about all of this from day one.
- Providing Growth Opportunities: A job opportunity won’t be much help to you if you know you can’t grow in the company. Employers are aware of this and let you know how you can continue growing as early as the interview process.
- Creating a Smooth Application Process: Graduates are applying to a lot of jobs and a difficult application process can be a dealbreaker. To help themselves stand out, many companies are starting to offer a faster and more seamless experience to keep strong candidates interested.
- Stating Qualifications: It’s no secret that many graduates do not have years of experience yet and if an application states that a candidate needs three years of experience, it can immediately deter them from applying. A lot of companies are recognizing this and are now leaning towards hiring recent graduates based on soft skills (i.e. adaptability, communication, and a willingness to learn).
You’re Not Just Searching—You’re Being Sought After
As you are searching for jobs as a recent graduate, just know this: you are not the only one looking. Employers are actively looking to recruit fresh talent like you, right out of college. Pay attention to how they recruit and how they present themselves. This will help you understand where to show up and how to stand out. Best of luck!
What will your next chapter hold? If you’re wondering what career is best for you, take the guesswork out of it. College Raptor has a FREE Career Finder tool that gives you insight into job descriptions, salary expectations, required education, and job openings—all in one place!
